Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:
** Down to Earth – Palace in the Sky – NASA Johnson
In this episode of Down to Earth, former NASA astronaut Jack Fischer recalls his experiences from his time aboard the International Space Station and discusses how the spirit of exploration contributes to humanity’s future. #SpaceStation20th
** 20 Years of Science: NASA Explorers S4 Bonus – NASA
This season on NASA Explorers, you’ve seen what it takes to send science to the International Space Station through the eyes of one team of researchers. They are just two of thousands more scientists who have sent experiments to the orbiting laboratory over the past two decades. Take a look back at those 20 years of microgravity science along with the researchers who helped make it happen. Hear more from the researchers featured in this episode: Twenty Years aboard ISS Through the Eyes of Researchers | NASA
** Expedition 63 In Flight with Fox News Radio and Astronaut Chris Cassidy – September 8, 2020 – NASA
SPACE STATION COMMANDER DISCUSSES LIFE IN SPACE WITH FOX NEWS RADIO Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 63 Commander Chris Cassidy of NASA discussed the progress of his long-duration mission during an in-flight interview Sept. 8 with Fox News Radio. Cassidy is heading into the home stretch of a six-and-a-half month flight on the orbital outpost, aiming for a return to Earth on Oct. 22.
** Auroras captured from space station – ‘5 Objects’ seen – Space.com
Cosmonaut Ivan Vagner recently captured footage of the auroras over the Antarctic. “5 objects” appeared in the the time-lapse according to Vagner in a tweet. The imagery was sent to Roscosmos for analysis. — Full Story: https://www.space.com/russian-cosmona…
A sampling of recent articles, press releases, etc. related to student and amateur CubeSat / SmallSat projects and programs (find previous smallsat roundups here):
A team of students from the USC Laboratory for Exploration and Astronautical Physics (LEAP), including Robert Antypas and Jeffrey Asher, doctoral students in the Viterbi Department of Astronautical Engineering. The students are working to optimize the design of ionic electrospray thrusters, in-space propulsion devices, in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). These thrusters are small, light and powerful, easy to construct and customizable. These unique aspects contributed to the team winning first place in the AIAA Small Satellite Poster Competition. The students were supervised by Joseph Wang, professor of astronautics and aerospace and mechanical engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
Said Asher: “Unlike traditional electric or chemical propulsion technologies, these thrusters are able to scale linearly with the area by increasing the number of emission sites.” In other words, you can increase the level of thrust outputted by increasing the number of emitter tips on the device, a feature not currently possible on other types of propulsion technologies.
Major components of the USC electrospray testbed thruster. Image Credits: Jeffrey Asher.
“The ionic electrospray thruster the team created is an electrostatic propulsion device that operates by extracting and accelerating ions from the propellant using an electric field. The ion extraction is aided by the thruster’s use of a novel liquid propellant, called an ionic liquid. This liquid is highly conductive and freely “gives up” its charge when exposed to an electric field. It also has extremely low vapor pressure, so that it can withstand being directly exposed to the vacuum conditions of space without evaporating.” – USC
** AMSAT news on student and amateur CubeSat/smallsat projects:
** Educational webinars – Session A – Build a Cubesat from scratch – SatRevolution
SatRevolution is happy to invite you to a series of informational sessions (only 30 minutes long!), organized by our team and the team of our partners. This webinars has been recorded during Small Sat Conference 2020 this is way session is different in title and during webinars record. For more infromation please visit our website: https://satrevolution.com/
Prof Jordi Puig-Suari is a professor and an aerospace technology developer. He is the co-inventor of the CubeSat standard, and co-founder of Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems. Prof. Jordi answered 2 questions from the many questions you asked us. The questions were “How did Cubesats begin” and “What is the relationship and collaboration between robotics, AI, software and space exploration”.
A sampling of links to recent space policy, politics, and government (US and international) related space news and resource items that I found of interest (find previous space policy roundups here):
Yogi Berra would have gotten it wrong when it comes to the space surrounding Earth. It’s gotten so popular people are still flocking there. It raises serious questions: Which federal agency should take charge of space traffic management? Congress couldn’t figure that one out. So it hired the National Academy of Public Administration. For what NAPA concluded, Federal Drive with Tom Temin turned to study fellow and former NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe.
** The Space Show – Tues. Sept.1.2020 – An open lines program included discussion of multiple topics “and there were two callers, Marshall and Ft. Worth John. Marshall reviewed the book “Space Is Open For Business” and more. John talked about physics, an online Cal Tech class he completed that might interest listeners plus he commented on the Mufon report of UFO sightings and why the US has so many sightings compared to the rest of the world.”
** Defending Earth! A Planetary Society Live Event – Planetary Society
Saving our planet from an asteroid strike is the only preventable major disaster. The Planetary Society reviews its work to help humankind prepare for and avoid this otherwise inevitable calamity. Planetary Radio host Mat Kaplan welcomes Chief Scientist Bruce Betts, Chief Advocate and Senior Space Policy Adviser Casey Dreier, and our special guest, Professor Amy Mainzer of the University of Arizona, Principal Investigator for the NEOWISE mission. This event was presented live on September 3, 2020.
3. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020: Hotel Mars TBA pre-recorded. See upcoming show menu on the home page for program details.
4. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020; 7-8:30 pm PDT (9-10:30 pm CDT, 10-11:30 pm EDT): We welcome Dr. Lena De Winne of Asgardia Space.
5. Friday, Sept.11, 2020; 9:30-11 am PDT (11:30 am-1 pm CDT, 12:30-2 pm EDT): We welcome back Dr. John Brandenburg. DR. B has new supernova info plus he is now with a new aerospace company that he will tell us about. In addition, he has yet another new book in the works.
6. Sunday, Sept.13, 2020; 12-1:30 pm PDT (3-4:30 pm EDT, 2-3:30 pm CDT): Our Sunday Open Lines program is back. All callers are welcome, first time callers should call us. All science, space, STEM and STEAM topics welcome. We want to hear from you.
Some recent shows:
** Friday Sept.4.2020 – Dr. Matthew Caplan talked “about theories on how the universe will end. Other topics included extra terrestrial life, New Physics, alternative universes, stars and plans, super novas and much more”.
** Open Lines Tuesday – Sept.1.2020 – David Livingston led a discussion with listeners on a range of topics including “Marshall & Ft. Worth John called to review “Space Is Open For Business” & talk about online physics classes & Senate hearings on new UFO classified material, plus Space Show matters”.
Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:
** Students Use Ham Radio to Call an Astronaut in Space – NASA Johnson
On May 15, 2020, Canadian students used ham radio to talk with NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, currently aboard the International Space Station. Thanks to ham radio operators and the International Space Station program, the students were able to participate from their homes. Learn more about ham radio aboard the space station: https://go.nasa.gov/2DRPAeK Learn more about the research being conducted on station: https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science
** Tropical Storm Laura Viewed From International Space Station – NASA Johnson
External cameras on the International Space Station captured views of Tropical Storm Laura from approximately 250 miles above. The station passed directly over the tropical system on Sunday, August 23 prior to the storm making landfall on Cuba. The National Hurricane Center is projecting Laura to strengthen into a hurricane once in the Gulf of Mexico with landfall expected on the Gulf coast later this week.
** Every Spacecraft Which Has Visited The Space Station – Scott Manley
Over the last 2 decades there have been over 200 spacecraft which have visited the space station, built by many nations and organizations, with different designs. So I thought it might be nice to make a summary of every spacecraft for comparison since we’re getting close to the 20th anniversary and 100th crew to visit the ISS.
Solid, liquid, gas, plasma… did you know there’s also a fifth state of matter? Since 2018, NASA’s Cold Atom Lab has been using the microgravity environment on the International Space Station to help chill atoms to almost absolute zero – the coldest temperature matter can reach. At these low temperatures, Cold Atom Lab produces the fifth state of matter, called a Bose-Einstein condensate.
Experiments with this fifth state of matter could lend deeper insight into how our world works on a fundamental level. For example, scientists will be able to measure the very faint tug of gravity that is still present aboard the station, and put Albert Einstein’s theory about this fundamental force to the test. Studies of Bose-Einstein condensates aboard the station could also lead to new technologies, like better tools for navigation and more precise clocks. For more information, visit https://coldatomlab.jpl.nasa.gov
